Tag: Joshua Uche

2018 Season Countdown: #40 Joshua Uche

Josh Uche is changing from #35 to #6 (image via MWolverine)

Name: Joshua Uche
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 226 lbs.
High school: Miami (FL) Columbus
Position: Linebacker
Class: Junior
Jersey number: #35 #6
Last year: I ranked Uche #51 and said he would be a backup SAM linebacker (LINK). He made 3 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 sack.
TTB Rating: 82

Uche has the unfortunate luck of being a little bit of an odd fit in Michigan’s defense. Last year I thought he would be a backup SAM linebacker when Michigan went to heavier fronts, but it turned out that Michigan mostly just kept Khaleke Hudson in there at Viper most of the time. Uche is more of a pass rush specialist, but you don’t always need pass rush “specialists” when your regular defense is getting home with blitzes and excellent play from the defensive line. Furthermore, Michigan had Noah Furbush to come in as a part-time pass rusher and blitzer, and Furbush did a good job as a sub package guy.

Khaleke Hudson returns this year at Viper, and once again, Furbush remains present as a sub package player. Michigan wants to get Uche on the field, so he’s playing some at WILL linebacker. He’s battling Devin Gil, Josh Ross, and others, and I think Uche will lose the battle to be the starter. However, defensive coordinator Don Brown has mentioned that they have certain packages designed with Uche in mind, and he can be a rusher like Furbush. Personally, I wouldn’t mind seeing some third down packages with both Uche and Furbush on the field; since Michigan can lock up on the back end, those are some dangerous guys to send on a blitz package.

Prediction: Backup linebacker, special teamer

Who might not return on defense in 2018?

Bryan Mone and Chase Winovich (image via iSportsWeb)

I addressed potential offensive attrition last week (LINK), and here’s the defensive edition. As I mentioned in that previous post, this is about the depth chart and opportunity for playing time; these posts are not about rumors or talent judgments.

DEFENSIVE LINE: First of all, it’s important to note that there are few places in the country where defensive linemen get better coaching than Michigan. If you want to be good and have the ability, Michigan gives you as good of a chance as anyone. It’s not like Alabama or Clemson, where elite recruits simply continue to be elite. It’s a place where walk-ons (Ryan Glasgow) and lowly 3-stars (Frank Clark, Maurice Hurst) can be turned into high draft picks. But if you’re not on their level, you won’t get on the field. In that regard, there are a few guys who are buried on the depth chart. One is defensive end Reuben Jones (RS Jr.), who has been passed by younger guys, and another is Ron Johnson (RS So.), who has bounced between defensive end and defensive tackle. Both are finding it difficult to find the field. Meanwhile, interior players Lawrence Marshall (RS Sr.) and Bryan Mone (RS Sr.) have both been passed by younger guys, most notably Aubrey Solomon, a 2017 signee. Michigan rotates defensive linemen quite a bit, so there’s playing time available for both, but becoming a starter would be a tall order. Most importantly of all, there’s a chance that Chase Winovich (RS Sr.) might enter the NFL Draft.

Hit the jump for a discussion of the linebackers and defensive backs.

read more

2017 Season Countdown: #51 Joshua Uche

Joshua Uche (#35, image via MWolverine)

Name: Joshua Uche
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 217 lbs.
High school: Miami (FL) Columbus
Position: Linebacker
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #35
Last year: I ranked Uche #55 and said he would be a backup linebacker. He played in four games and made 3 tackles.
TTB Rating: 82

Uche entered last season as a linebacker/defensive end tweener, and his deployment in 2016 saw him playing linebacker almost exclusively. I was skeptical of that move coming into last season, because he was primarily a rush end at Miami (FL) Columbus. He didn’t do anything special and made a couple gaffes, which would be expected for a true freshman playing a relatively new position.

When Don Brown was talking to media members this spring, he said Michigan was going to do some special things with Uche. And when Don Brown says “special things,” I figure he plans to blitz Uche a ton when he’s out there, and that’s his specialty. Michigan lost some good pass rushers in the off-season, and a couple of their best rush guys (Chase Winovich, Maurice Hurst Jr.) may get worn down by increased roles this season. Uche might be a guy who can offer some pass rush in obvious throwing situations. The Wolverines might use Khaleke Hudson as a Viper instead of throwing the SAM linebacker out there a ton, but if Michigan goes to a three-man front or wants to sub out a linebacker, I expect to see Uche.

Prediction: Backup SAM linebacker

2016 Season Countdown: #55 Joshua Uche

Joshua Uche (image via Maize and Blue News)

Name: Joshua Uche
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 215 lbs.
High school: Miami (FL) Columbus
Position: Linebacker
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #10
Last year: Uche was a senior in high school (LINK). He had 50 tackles, 14 sacks, 3 pass breakups, and 2 forced fumbles.
Final TTB Rating: 82

Uche was committed to Miami at one point, and Don Brown was recruiting him to Boston College. By the time January rolled around, Uche was no longer committed to Miami and Don Brown was recruiting him to Michigan. Brown likes guys who can wreak havoc with their speed, and Uche is a guy who can do that, whether it’s from linebacker or defensive end.

Uche’s biggest asset is his ability to come off the edge and get to the quarterback, and he has that extra closing burst to make plays once he gets into the backfield. Michigan intends to start him off at SAM linebacker, where he would be backing up Jabrill Peppers. The two players are rather dissimilar, since Peppers is a converted corner/safety and Uche is viewed by some as a weakside end prospect. I think Uche will play a role this season because of his pass rushing abilities, but he might be limited by his size and some weaknesses in pass coverage. I imagine he might be used in some situations as a defensive end, somewhat like we saw Jake Ryan used at times during his Michigan career. I think Uche will have a good career, but defensive line and SAM linebacker are tough places to break through this season.

Prediction: Backup SAM linebacker

2016 Recruiting Awards

David Long, Jr. is perhaps Michigan’s fastest 2016 recruit

Every year I post my recruiting awards to look back on in future years. You can look back on past years here (LINK) to find the hits and misses.

Best Overall Recruit: DT Rashan Gary
There’s no real suspense this year. Gary is the consensus #1 player in the country, and I gave him a TTB Rating of 100. He is awesome at the football.

Best Offensive Recruit: TE Devin Asiasi
I think the combination of Asiasi’s athleticism and Jim Harbaugh’s propensity for developing tight ends will do great things for Asiasi’s profile.

Best Defensive Recruit: DT Rashan Gary
See above.

Hit the jump for the rest of the awards.

read more